Honda has been testing the Brio with a 1.5-litre engine that is likely to be the diesel motor that currently powers everything from the Amaze, Mobilio to the City sedan.
While Honda was able to turn the tables in the past two years with its new range of offerings, the entry-level Brio was neglected extensively and the lack of a diesel heart worsened matters even further. Nonetheless, there have been reports of Honda planning a diesel engine for the Brio and while a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder diesel unit was rumoured to be in the works, it has now come to notice that the automaker has been testing the Brio with a 1.5-litre engine under the hood.
Earlier this month, Honda India re-imported the Brio after testing it with a 1.5-litre engine likely to be a diesel. With the engine already plonked under the hood of the Amaze, it will be a snug fit in the Brio’s bay as well. Producing 100 PS on the Amaze, Honda might detune the motor when plonked into the Brio offering decent power and class leading fuel efficiency. There is also a possibility of Honda continuing the engine in its existing configuration making it a hot hatch competing against the Hyundai Grand i10, Ford Figo and Maruti Celerio.
Honda’s revival in the Indian market came courtesy of the 1.5-litre i-DTEC unit that has been raved for being fuel efficient and might just do wonders for the Brio as well. Remember, Honda was testing its diesel engine in the Brio (spotted multiple times in India) before plonking it in the Amaze. The Brio is up for a comprehensive update next year and will also get redesigned exteriors, an upmarket cabin and a new features list to take on the competition in the segment.
Source – Zauba.com